House Harkonnen
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House Harkonnen is a House Major, and one of the main factions that players can align their Guild with. They are the ancient rivals of House Atreides.
Introduction
House Harkonnen (/ˈhɑːrkənən/), also known as the Family Harkonnen, is a Great House of the Landsraad whose capital resided on the heavily industrialized world of Giedi Prime. Historical enemies for over 10,000 years of House Atreides since the Battle of Corrin, the Harkonnens earned a notorious reputation for underhanded and sinister political tactics fueled by their ambition, malevolence, hatred, brutality and an undying thirst to destroy the Atreides bloodline to restore their honor.
Having lost much of their influence after the betrayal of Abulurd Harkonnen during the Butlerian Jihad, House Harkonnen toiled for millennia as a House Minor in the Landsraad. Shrewd manipulation of the whale fur market and their winning of Arrakis as a sirdar fief in 10111 AG saw the family rapidly restored to prominence under the auspices of Vladimir Harkonnen and his father, Dmitri.
Now, as one of the wealthiest and most powerful of the Great Houses, they stand at the precipice of their patiently-awaited revenge. The War of Assassins favors the Harkonnen, but only time will tell if the Baron will be able to crush their eternal foes of Caladan.
Overview
House Harkonnen controls not just Giedi Prime, but also the frozen ice world of Lankiveil in which they control the whale fur markets. They have few natural allies and tend to make alliances with other Houses only if there is some benefit to House Harkonnen. Historically their closest ally has been the ruthless House Moritani.
In an attempt to rid themselves of House Atreides, the Baron fermented a scheme with the collaboration of the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV Corrino. Arrakis was given to House Atreides as a sirdar fief. With Doctor Wellington Yueh suborned by the Baron, the plan was for Yueh to sabotage the Atreides shield generators and allow Harkonnen forces--ably assisted by Sardaukar disguised in Harkonnen livery--to ambush and destroy the unsuspecting Atreides. However, his plot was foiled by the Truthsayer Lady Jessica. Instead of marching into Arrakeen and slaughtering the sleeping Atreides, they were instead met by the Atreides in all their might. Despite the efforts of General Mendek, the commander of the operation, House Harkonnen's assault was a decisive defeat. Shortly after the Battle of Arrakeen, the Padishah Emperor declared a War of Assassins for the fate of Arrakis. Eight years later, House Harkonnen digs into its deepest reserves in an attempt to destroy their hated foes.
House Harkonnen's primary settlement on Arrakis is Harko Village. They once ruled Arrakis from the great city of Carthag, but the city was mysteriously destroyed in a lasgun-shield contact explosion. With the city of Neo-Carthag still under construction, House Harkonnen's seat of power is Harko Village, located in the far southwest of the overland map. A vast range of vendors, important characters and quests can be found there, as well as The Exchange, which is the player to player market board, Landsraad vendors, and the Imperial Consulate. To reach the city, players either need to construct their own Ornithopter and fly to Harko Village via the overland map or pay a taxi service at any trading post for 2,500 Solaris to be taken there.
In the Hagga Basin, House Harkonnen's base of operations is Riftwatch, a large outpost guarding the southernmost entrance to the Hagga Rift. Here players can find a steward, who offers faction rewards like the quartermaster in Harko Village, Harkonnen-aligned mentat Samin Moro who can unlock the Mentat skill tree, and two Great House Contacts for House Moritani and House Dyvetz respectively.
Origin
The Harkonnen bloodline dates back to the Butlerian Jihad with Xavier Harkonnen (223 BG - 164 BG), a decorated military commander in the League of Nobles. His marriage to Octa Butler and their children would be the start of both the Corrino and Harkonnen bloodlines. Through an action that many took as treacherous, the assassination of the corrupt Grand Patriarch Iblis Ginjo saw that the Harkonnen name would be tarnished, leading Xavier's children and grandchildren to distance themselves from the name. The Harkonnen name would not be used again until Vorian Atriedes, who knew the truth behind Xavier's actions, confided in Xavier's grandson Abulurd Butler.
Abulurd, friend and steward under Vorian, once more took up the Harkonnen name in attempt to bring the truth to light and restore the family name. However, during the final days of the Butlerian Jihad, Abulurd would set in motion a series of events that would once more tarnish the Harkonnen name and stoke the fires of the 10,000 year old blood feud between House Harkonnen and House Atriedes. While Abulurd's bothers would take on the name Corrino to distance themselves further from the name Harkonnen, each and every Padishah Emperor is nonetheless a direct-line descendant of Xavier Harkonnen. House Harkonnen, now banished to the planet Lankiveil, would toil as a House Minor for millennia while they gradually rebuilt their strength. Now, after 10,000 years, the debt is finally coming due and the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen seeks to ensure it is paid in full.
Identity
"My Desert, My Arrakis, My Dune." - Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
House Harkonnen are utterly ruthless profiteers and industrialists, with an emphasis on minimizing costs and maximizing profit under any circumstances. Under the rule of Siridar-Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, they seek to overthrow and revenge themselves upon their adversaries in House Atreides by any means necessary. Though forbidden by the laws of Kanly, the Baron wishes to render House Atreides extinct and utterly destroy them. In the long term, the Baron seeks to overthrow the Padishah Emperor and establish himself as ruler of a Harkonnen Imperium.
Their homeworld of Giedi Prime is an industrialized hell-world, with layers upon layers of infrastructure having long since blotted out almost all natural life on the planet and dimmed its sun to an unremitting black hue. Its citizenry live as little better than slaves, existing in a state of constant fear and terror as House Harkonnen's pale fists squeeze ever tighter to increase production, particularly after the War of Assassins. This industrial might gives House Harkonnen a considerable advantage in the Landsraad.
Treachery, assassination, greed, and exploitation are the hallmarks of the Harkonnen ranks. Abuse of substances such as Semuta is high among House Harkonnen personnel and is even encouraged by the Baron himself. They maintain their own standing army under the command of the Baron and his immediate family. The wealth and power of the House ensures that any deficits in discipline or training are made up for through recruitment on a massive scale. At one point, General Mendek was a high-ranking officer in the Harkonnen House army. His current status is unknown.
Structure
Like most of the Great Houses of the Corrino Empire, House Harkonnen employs its own military with its own hierarchy. In Dune: Awakening, players are able to pledge themselves to House Harkonnen first as independent contractors, but can work their way up the ranks into House Operator status and therefore a position of trust.
House Hierarchy
Baron / Baroness - The ruler of House Harkonnen. Currently held by the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen.
Warmaster - The closest thing to a general of a House, responsible for overseeing the training and deployment of its military. The current holder of this title is Glossu Rabban, nicknamed "The Beast" for his cruelty.
Master of Assassins - The leader of a House's covert forces, spies, assassins, and other espionage assets. Responsible for overseeing all the intelligence and counter-intelligence operations of the House. This title is currently held by Piter de Vries, a twisted mentat and sadistic torturer and murderer.
Swordmaster - A commander in the field and the personal bodyguard of the Harkonnen family at home, Swordmasters are responsible for the leadership and training of the personal Harkonnen House Guard. While House Harkonnen does not have a Swordmaster of its own, the closest comparison is Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, a notorious arena gladiator and a prodigy with paired kindjal and slip-tip.
Notable members
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen - Siridar-Baron of House Harkonnen and uncle to "Beast" Rabban and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. The ruler of House Harkonnen. He is a famously corpulent and grasping man and among the most cunning politicians of the Imperium.
Count Glossu "Beast" Rabban Harkonnen - Eldest of the Baron's nephew's and overseer of the Harkonnen forces on Arrakkis as well as Count of Lankiveil. He was named "Beast" after strangling his father and usurping the planetary governorship of Lankiveil.
Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen - Youngest of the Baron's nephew's and current na-Baron (heir apparent) of House Harkonnen. A masochist and sadist, he was betrothed to Ariste Atreides at the urging of the Bene Gesserit. After a badly miscalculated and particularly bloody bout in the arena involving a Salusan Bull, Ariste called off the engagement. Despite his Harkonnen penchant for sadism, Feyd-Rautha remains genuinely attracted to Ariste and is attempting to win back her favor.
Piter de Vries - Twisted Mentat to Baron Vladimir produced by the Bene Tleilax. A torturer and noted Semuta addict, Piter de Vries is the spymaster propping up the less-intelligent Glossu Rabban's regime.
Levenbrech Maxim Kazmir - A Levensbrech of the Harkonnen House forces assigned to lead covert missions in the southern half of the Hagga Basin.
Simone von Konig - A spymistress in service to House Harkonnen, subordinate to Piter de Vries. She can be found at the Riftwatch at the southernmost tip of the Hagga Rift.
Artyom Belov - A Harkonnen guard covertly working for Elara Tuek. He provides access to the Neo-Carthag arena for those who have not yet unlocked it.
Samin Moro - A Mentat in service to House Harkonnen. Offers basic level Mentat skill tree training.
Territory
Faction Hubs
Harko Village
A newly-constructed village on the outskirts of Neo-Carthag, which remains under construction. Currently the main base of operations for House Harkonnen.
Glossu Rabban governs from here, issuing contracts, regulating spice trade, and coordinating military operations across the planet. Players come to Harko Village to access vendors, manage faction reputation, obtain assignments, and interact with other travelers under the ironclad Guild Peace. The city is populated by House officials, Harkonnen soldiers, merchants, CHOAM representatives, Sardaukar, and various Imperial officials. Harko Village is also the base of operations for Count Hasimir Fenring and his agent, Elara Tuek.
Riftwatch
Situated at the southernmost tip of the Hagga Rift, Riftwatch ensures the security of the Hagga Rift from potential Atreides intrusion. Riftwatch offers Harkonnen faction missions, a Harkonnen quartermaster, two Landsraad House Representatives, and the Mentat basic skill trainer Samin Moro. The area is staffed almost entirely be Harkonnen soldiers and shipping agents.
Military Installations
The Edge of Acheron - located in the Sheol at the northernmost border of the irradiated zone.
The Beast's Claw - located in Mysa Tarill atop its western cliffs.
Both installations function similar to bandit outposts but use the Harkonnen building style. In contradiction to the common bandit outposts, the military ones are a War of Assassins player vs. player area. The stationed Harkonnen troops are hostile to the player regardless of their ranks with any Great House or quest progress. Each outpost offers various T5 loot including a large chest locked by a pentashield that rewards T5 Duraluminum-tier blueprints. As a randomized event, the outposts can be attacked by Atreides NPC troops. The outcome of those squirmishes is not scripted and there is a possibility for both involved parties to win the battle. Nevertheless, the remaining troops are still hostile to players. If a player is nearby during an attack, both Harkonnen and Atreides soldiers face the player and take up their millennia old hostilities after the player character is dealt with.
Political Relations
Allies
House Mikarrol
A brutal House of slavers dealing extensively in the flesh trade. The Slavers based in much of the Hagga Basin are presumed to be House Mikarrol's troops, given they share a color scheme.
Alignment Reason: Represent the largest supplier of slaves to the Neo-Carthag building project, particularly among the Maula.
Type of Support in Lore: Financial backing, support services, slave stock.
House Alexin
A commercially minded House and one of the largest agricultural producers in the Imperium.
Alignment Reason: The Harkonnens remain a particularly large importer of foodstuffs.
Type of Support in Lore: Logistics, supply contracts, financial backing.
House Spinette
A House known for its mix of culture and etiquette who so happen to produce some of the deadliest assassins in the Known Universe.
Alignment Reason: House Harkonnen's extensive use of assassins and spies ensures that the services of House Spinette are always in demand.
Type of Support in Lore: Assassin training, personnel support, intelligence.
House Dyvetz
A major producer of ships and managers of some of the Imperium's largest shipyards.
Alignment Reason: Provides House Harkonnen with much of its shipbuilding infrastructure. Giedi Prime's factories fuel Septimus' industry.
Type of Support in Lore: Military reinforcement, starship manufacture, technical expertise.
House Moritani
A ruthless House and the most influential manufacturer of weapons in the Imperium. Responsible for the destruction of the Ginaz.
Alignment Reason: Longtime rivals to the Atreides who benefit greatly from House Harkonnen's patronage and industry.
Type of Support in Lore: Weapons, manufacturing expertise, advanced machining.
Trivia & Speculation
Harkonnen Radio
"The official station of House Harkonnen, broadcasting propaganda, slave fight coverage, music and entertainment."
The Harkonnen own and transmit a Communinet radio broadcast referred top as "Harkonnen Radio". When tuned into this station you will be able to listen to a variety of Harkonnen songs and melodies - most of which have a stark contrast to the Atreides Radio channel. Between the Harkonnen tunes political broadcasts are heard. The broadcasts include frequencies like The Voice of House Harkonnen: The Convert - this is a propaganda broadcast from an unconfirmed, nameless, Atreides defector. The Convert claims stories such as Atreides cannibal parties, the origins of them in mythology and discusses the logistics of such an effort.
Additional broadcasts include adverts from Vladimir's Provisions...
Lord Haddick of the Obsidian Plain presents a show where he explores Salusa Secundus as a nature observer turned poacher. He is killing animals such as the Salusan Tiger to display the dominance of house Harkonnen, causing the maximum pain possible, "...nobody can resist the will of House Harkonnen...". This show is another propaganda stunt disguised as a pseudo-educational exercise.
Game Interactions
Recruitment
Hopefuls seeking to join House Harkonnen are directed to seek out Levensbrech Maxim Kazmir in The Anvil trading post. At the conclusion of his mission series, he attempts to murder the player to secure his own advancement. Following this failure, the player is redirected to Simone von Konig at Riftwatch, a spymistress in service to House Harkonnen. At the conclusion of her mission series, the player is finally summoned to serve the sadistic twisted mentat-assassin Piter de Vries.
Journeys
As a foil to Ariste Atreides, Feyd-Rautha first appears in Chapter 1 of the main story as he actively attempts to win back the favor of the na-Duchess. Feyd-Rautha and House Harkonnen play a major role in Chapter 3 of the main story and will presumably go on to play a major role in all subsequent story content afterward. Additionally, House Harkonnen offers players one of two ways into the Landsraad system and a significant story working as an Harkonnen agent.
Exclusive House Rewards
| House Harkonnen | |
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| Cosmetic Type | Swatch |
| Compatibility | All |
| Harkonnen Sandbike Variant | |
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| Cosmetic Type | Variant - Vehicle |
| Harkonnen Buggy Variant | |
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| Cosmetic Type | Variant - Vehicle |
| Harkonnen Enforcer Buggy Variant | |
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| Cosmetic Type | Variant - Vehicle |
| Harkonnen Scout Ornithopter Variant | |
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| Cosmetic Type | Variant - Vehicle |
| Harkonnen Assault Ornithopter Variant | |
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| Cosmetic Type | Variant - Vehicle |